Nollywood’s witchcraft, money ritual stories are unrealistic – Sunny Alli

Veteran Nollywood producer, director and actor Sunny Alli has criticised the frequent portrayal of witchcraft and money rituals in Nigerian films, describing such storylines as unrealistic.

Speaking in a recent interview, Alli said he does not believe in witchcraft or money rituals, stressing that such themes have no place in the scripts he writes.

The filmmaker questioned the basis for many of the supernatural scenes commonly featured in Nollywood productions, arguing that they lack realism and credibility.

He also challenged fellow filmmakers over how they create depictions of witchcraft, asking whether any of them had ever attended such gatherings or knew what actually takes place there.

He further questioned claims surrounding money rituals, wondering where the supposed wealth comes from.

While explaining his filmmaking style, Alli said he prefers stories that reflect real-life experiences.

“There are certain things I can never write in my films. Things like witches having meetings. How? Who has ever been to their meeting before or know where they meet? What did they look like? Or something like someone is sick and was taken to the cleric for prayers and while praying for the person, something came out from him and the sickness disappeared.

“I don’t believe in money rituals. Because they said it is the spirit that is supplying the money, and I asked if the spirit has its own printing machine? Or is the spirit bringing the money from the Central Bank or from the bureau de change? I love making realistic movies.”

Alli maintained that his passion is to produce films grounded in reality rather than stories centered on supernatural beliefs, adding that realism remains the hallmark of his work.